A Nueces County jury has found Carlos Suarez Jr. guilty on multiple felony charges tied to a 2024 case involving a Corpus Christi police officer and two juveniles. The verdict concludes a high-profile criminal trial that drew attention across the Coastal Bend due to the severity of the allegations and the defendant’s age.
Jurors convicted Suarez on all four charges, including attempted capital murder of a peace officer, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
The case centered on two separate incidents, prosecutors said happened in 2024, when Suarez was 15 years old.
Jury Finds Carlos Suarez Jr. Guilty on All Charges
Court records show Suarez, now 17, faced serious felony accusations after prosecutors alleged he threatened two juveniles with a handgun in July 2024 and later attempted to shoot a Corpus Christi police officer in December while trying to evade arrest.
After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, the Nueces County jury returned guilty verdicts on all charges.
The attempted capital murder conviction carries severe penalties under Texas law because it involves allegations of violence against a peace officer performing official duties.
In addition, jurors convicted Suarez of two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon related to the alleged threats involving the juveniles.
He was also found guilty of possessing a prohibited weapon after authorities reportedly recovered a handgun modified with a “Glock switch.”
What Prosecutors Alleged in the Case
According to court documents, prosecutors said Suarez threatened two juveniles with a handgun on July 7, 2024. Authorities later connected him to a separate incident involving law enforcement.
Alleged Attempted Shooting of Police Officer
Prosecutors claimed Suarez attempted to shoot and kill a Corpus Christi police officer on Dec. 7, 2024, during an encounter while officers tried to arrest him.
The attempted capital murder charge became the most serious allegation in the case. Under Texas law, attempting to kill a peace officer can result in life-altering penalties if convicted.
Although prosecutors presented their case aggressively during the trial, the court previously reminded jurors that Suarez remained presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ultimately, the jury sided with the prosecution after deliberations concluded.
Alleged Possession of a Glock Switch
Another major issue during the trial involved a firearm modification commonly referred to as a “Glock switch.”
Court records alleged Suarez possessed a handgun equipped with the illegal device, which allows a firearm to fire automatically. Federal law heavily regulates such modifications because they effectively convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns.
Prosecutors argued the weapon was not properly registered as required under federal regulations.
Law enforcement agencies across the country have increasingly warned about the rise of illegal Glock switches, citing concerns over public safety and violent crime.
Teen Defendant Was Tried as an Adult
One of the most closely watched aspects of the case involved the court’s decision to transfer Suarez from juvenile court to adult criminal court.
Court records show Suarez was only 15 years old at the time of the alleged offenses. However, a Nueces County judge later ruled the seriousness of the accusations justified trying him as an adult.
That decision significantly raised the legal stakes because adult criminal court carries harsher sentencing possibilities than juvenile proceedings.
Cases involving juveniles accused of violent felonies often trigger intense public debate. Supporters of tougher prosecution argue serious crimes require strong accountability regardless of age. Meanwhile, critics question whether teenage defendants should face adult penalties before reaching maturity.
In Suarez’s case, the court ultimately allowed prosecutors to proceed in adult court due to the gravity of the allegations.
Sentencing Phase Could Follow Convictions
Now that the jury has delivered guilty verdicts, the case may move into the sentencing phase.
Texas law imposes severe consequences for attempted capital murder convictions, especially when the alleged victim is a law enforcement officer. Additional penalties may also apply for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon.
The court has not yet publicly announced final sentencing details.
Meanwhile, the verdict closes a major criminal case that attracted widespread local attention because it involved allegations of violence against both juveniles and a police officer.
As the legal process continues, the case highlights ongoing concerns surrounding youth violence, illegal firearm modifications, and crimes involving law enforcement officers in Texas.